Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un Strengthen Alliance in First Summit in Six Years
Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have pledged to deepen their strategic partnership during their first official summit in six years, signaling closer cooperation as both countries align more closely with Russia against Western influence.
The meeting took place Thursday at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, where Xi hosted Kim for tea and dinner after a formal discussion, according to Chinese state media. The summit followed a dramatic display of unity at China’s massive World War II anniversary military parade, where Xi, Kim, and Russian President Vladimir Putin stood side by side in a rare public appearance.
Xi and Kim Reaffirm “Unwavering Friendship”
Both leaders highlighted the resilience of their alliance. Xi described China and North Korea as “good neighbors, good friends, and good comrades bound by shared destiny,” while stressing the need for closer strategic coordination in regional and global affairs. Kim, in turn, vowed North Korea would “invariably support” China’s sovereignty and development interests, according to KCNA.
Unlike past meetings, China’s official statement did not mention denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula—a notable shift suggesting Beijing is no longer prioritizing pressure on Pyongyang over its nuclear weapons program. Analysts see this as a quiet acceptance of North Korea’s nuclear status, especially as tensions with the West have pushed China and Russia closer to Kim.
Analysts Warn of a Changing Security Landscape
Michael Madden, a North Korea leadership expert, noted that Beijing’s silence on denuclearization could be interpreted as tacit approval of Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions. South Korean scholars echoed this concern, saying the summit gave Kim further justification to hold onto his nuclear arsenal.
Parade Showcases United Front with Russia
On Wednesday, Xi, Putin, and Kim took center stage at a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, attended by leaders from 26 nations, including Iran, Pakistan, and Belarus.
Following the event, only Putin and Kim were invited by Xi to tea and a state banquet, underscoring their elevated importance in China’s diplomatic circle. Russian media reported that Putin was hosted at Xi’s official residence in Zhongnanhai, the Communist Party’s top leadership compound.
The parade highlighted China’s military strength and positioned Beijing as a counterweight to the United States, at a time when Washington is locked in trade disputes and geopolitical tensions under President Donald Trump.
North Korea’s Growing Ties with Russia
In recent years, Pyongyang has leaned heavily toward Moscow. Last year, Kim and Putin signed a mutual defense pact committing both countries to immediate military assistance if attacked—a move that unsettled Washington and its Asian allies. North Korean troops and weapons are already aiding Russia’s war in Ukraine, a development Beijing views with caution.
Experts say Xi remains uneasy about Moscow’s influence over Pyongyang, particularly the risk that Russia could provide Kim with advanced military technology. Still, Beijing appears unwilling to intervene directly, preferring instead to quietly maintain leverage over North Korea while balancing relations with Russia.
Edward Howell, a politics lecturer at the University of Oxford, said China’s stance is one of unease rather than anger. “If Beijing truly opposed the deepening Russia–North Korea partnership, it could stop helping North Korea evade sanctions or cut back trade with Russia. But it hasn’t done so—and likely won’t.”
China’s Lifeline to North Korea
Despite occasional tensions, China remains North Korea’s largest economic and political supporter, accounting for more than 95% of its trade and keeping its heavily sanctioned economy afloat. A 1961 defense treaty still binds the two countries, making North Korea China’s only formal ally.
For Kim, this summit not only reinforced his standing with China but also showcased his growing relevance on the global stage as he courts both Moscow and Beijing.